Ceiling structure with integral power distribution means

ABSTRACT

A ceiling of the suspension or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;false-ceiling&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; type having a plurality of rectangular sheets carried in coplanar relation by a plurality of elongated flanged support members which also include electrical conductors for supplying power to lighting or other fixtures. The support members are arranged in a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;grid&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and carry the fixtures in addition to providing a simple and flexible electric connection.

United States Patent Inventors Joseph F. Herbenar Edina, Mich;

Kenneth A. Lindgren, Cleveland, Ohio 844,489

July 24, 1969 June 29, 1971 General Electric Company Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee CEILING STRUCTURE WITH INTEGRAL POWER DISTRIBUTION MEANS 9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 174/49, 52/28, 52/39 Int. Cl H02g 3/26, E04b 5/55 Field of Search 174/48, 49;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,888,113 5/1959 Schwartz et al .1 174/49 UX 3,246,074 4/1966 Neumann et al... 174/48 3,352,071 11/1967 Sutter 52/28 Primary Examiner-Lewis H. Myers Assistant Examiner-A. A. Tone Attorneys- Robert S. Smith, Robert T. Casey, D. M. Schiller,

Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph Bv Forman ABSTRACT: A ceiling of the suspension or false-ceiling type having a plurality of rectangular sheets carried in coplanar relation by a plurality of elongated flanged support members which also include electrical conductors for supplying power to lighting or other fixtures. The support members are arranged in a grid and carry the fixtures in addition to providing a simple and flexible electric connection.

PATENTEBJunzsrsn 3,590,135

' sum 2 or 3 CEILING STRUCTURE wITII INTEGRAL rows DISTRIBUTION MEANS BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to suspended" or false" ceilings of the type including a plurality of generally rectangular sheets supported in coplanar relation.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ceilings of the type referred to herein have, in the past, comprised a first series of spaced parallel elongated flanged support members hung from a fixed part of the building structure and a second series of such support members at right angles to and coplanar with the first series, forming a supporting grid defining a number of rectangular spaces. Each support member typically had an inverted T-shape cross section and is therefore known in the trade as a T-bar. Panels of lightweight porous sheet material, such as that referred to as acoustical board, are set into the rectangular spaces, resting on the flange portions of the support members. Lighting fixtures are incorporated in the suspended ceiling by mounting them on the grid arrangement. Electric power is conducted to the lighting fixtures by conductors independent of the grid structure.

Such prior art structures, while having many advantages, are relatively expensive to install because of the duplication inherent in utilizing separate support and electricity-conducting members. In addition, because of the difficulty of gaining access to all sections of the resulting ceiling, the positioning of lights and their size is seriously restricted. More particularly, it is difficult to change the position of lighting or other electric devices after the ceiling is installed because of the necessity of gaining access to the area above the ceiling and then connecting electric power. Since the electric power may be remote from the point where it is to be used and since the ceiling is not constructed with sufficient strength to support a man, the change is difficult.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a suspended ceiling structure including means for supporting ceiling panels and for supplying electric power to lighting fixtures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a ceiling of the type described which also includes suitable means by which a lighting fixture may be suspended from the ceiling at any point along one of the individual supports in the grid arrangement or at any intersection of grid members and connected to electrical conductors carries by said ceiling panel supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention in one form, a ceiling having a plurality of generally planar ceiling panels and a plurality of elongated or grid members arranged in a grid is provided for support. The grid members are provided with support surfaces having integral conductive portions. Junction boxes are provided to join associated grid members and conduct electrical power between them. Support means is provided to suspend the grid members from other building structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The subject matter which we regard as our invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in he concluding portion of this specification. Our invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a suspended ceiling constructed in accordance with this invention and shown in installed condition;

greater detail;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling constructed in accordance with the invention and showing more clearly the location and accessibility of electrical outlets provided in accordance therewith;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a single support member showing more clearly the details of its construction;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector provided for connecting linear support members having a common axis;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another connector for connecting four radially positioned support members;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a single support member and an electrical receptacle for use therewith;

FIG. 8 is a view of another embodiment of the invention wherein successive aligned grid support members join directly to each other without the use of a separate connector; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third grid support structure wherein the integral conductors are carried by ribs mounted on a T-bar grid support member.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the invention is shown as incorporated in a suspended ceiling comprising support or grid members I, connectors 3, support cables or wires 5, and drop-in lighting units 9. The ceiling as a whole is suspended by means of wires 5 from beams 11 which constitute a portion of the structure of the building in which the ceiling is incorporated. The drop-in lighting unit 9 comprises a reflector-type. pan 8, a wiring box 15, a cable 17, and a plug 19. The grid members 1 are adapted to carry illuminated signs 31 or lamps 33 by means of flanges to be described more fully hereafter. Electrical outlets 35 may be provided along the lower surface of grid members 1 in accordance with the requirements of the particular installation. Alternatively, to the discrete outlets, continuous slots may be provided with suitable contact surfaces for engagement of conventional electrical plugs at any point along the lowersurface of the grid members 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a grid 9 1 is shown in greater detail. The grid member may be a metallic extrusion or preferably for maximum economy a molded plastic. In the preferred form, conductors 41 are carried in the flange portions 43 of the grid member 1. The flange portions 43 are generally horizontal and on their upper surface support the generally planar ceiling panels 7 or alternatively the drop-in lighting units 9. A rib portion 45 of grid member 1 is provided to separate and position the adjacent ceiling panels 7 and/or drop-in lighting units 9. For optimum operation of fast-start fluorescent lighting units, an additional grounding conductor 47 is provided in the rib 45 to provide a hard" or positive ground. Where such lighting is not used, a similarly shaped tab is nevertheless desirable to index adjoining grid members 1. Alternatively, if grid member 1 is metallic, as where, made by an extrusion process of aluminum, it is not necessary to provide a separate grounding conductor 47 to satisfy the operating requirements of fast-start fluorescent lighting systems although again a similarly shaped indexing job is desirable. However, separate insulation is required around conductors 41 in such a system. As still another alternative, a metallic grid member 1 may be used in conjunction with a single conductor 41 provided with suitable insulation. This alternative, however, is obviously best suited for use with low-voltage lighting systems wherein no significant shock hazard exists.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, two embodiment connectors are shown for use with grid members 1. connector 51 is primarily suited for use where it is desired only to conduct electrical power along a plurality of parallel paths. Openings 53 and 55 respectively provide connections to ground conductor 47 and conductors 41. Additional openings 57 provide for the connection of additional nonconducting grid members (not shown). Such members provide the necessary support and separation of the ceiling panels in those areas where electrical power is not required.

Greater flexibility in wiring is achieved by the use of the connector 4, shown in FIG. 6, which is provided with apertures 61 for connection with the ground conductor 47 and apertures '65 for connecting with conductors 41. Preferably the wire or support means 5, shown in FIG. 2, connected to another type of connector 3, is fastened to the connector 4 although it is entirely feasible to provide this support at the grid members 1 themselves. The construction of connectors 3 and 4 is substantially the same electrically. but the exterior surfaces vary with the particular requirements. connector 4 is not provided with conventional electrical sockets as is connector 3.

Referring now to, FIG. 7, another embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a grid member 1 constructed of a relatively soft plastic orrubber material is utilized in conjunction with an outlet receptacle 71. The outlet receptacle 71 is provided with prongs 73 for piercing the soft plastic or rubber material of which grid member -1 is constructed to contact the conductors 41. With this construction, it is not necessary to provide preformed outlets along the entire length of each grid member 1. This results in maximum economy and is also more esthetically pleasing. The outlet 71 is provided with channel portions 75 adapted to engage flange portions 43 of grid member 1. By snapping outlet 71 on grid member I, an electrical connection is made suitable for connection of electrical devices. Suitable flange or other portions may be provided on outlet 71 to in turn support lighting or other electrical fixtures.

Referring now to Fig. 8 another embodiment is shown wherein grid members 81 are provided with male and female ends, respectively 83 and 85, for direct connection of the grid members 81 without the necessity for a connector. This has the advantage of reducing costs but tends to decrease the flcxibility inherent in the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 9. still another embodiment is shown I wherein a simple T-shapcd extrusion 91 is utilized with insulating members 93 mounted on horizontal flange portions 94 of grid member 91. The attachment of insulating members 93 may be by means of frictiomadhcsivc, screws, or rivets. Mcmbars 93 are preferably of plastic and carry conductors 4!. Suitable interconnecting portions (not shown) are provided at the extremity of each grid member 91 for interconnection of adjoining grid members 91.

it will. be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications of the ceiling described may readily be made.

. 1 and we therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 4 saidsupport surfaces;

c. at least a first integral electrical conductor carried in each of said support surfaces; and

d. a plurality of connectors disposed between said coplanar support surfaces and electrically connecting said integral electrical conductors.

2. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of electrical receptacles positioned along the underside of said support surfaces, said electrical receptacles being connected to said first integral conductor.

3. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support surfaces have an inverted T-shaped cross section.

4. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including at least a second integral conductor in said support surfaces. I

5. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including an integral grounding conductor in said support surface.

6. A ceiling assembly comprising:

a. at least twocoplanar elongated support surfaces;

b. means suspending said coplanar support surfaces;

c. at least one generally planar ceiling panel supported by said coplanar support surfaces; d. at least one elongated electrical conductor carries by each of said support surfaces;

c. said support surfaces each having an inverted T-shaped cross section.

7. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inverted T.-shaped supported surfaces include a generally horizontal base portion and an intermediate rib portion extending generally at right angles to said base portion and wherein said electrical conductors comprise at least two conductors carries by said base portion and at least one conductor carried by said rib portion.

8. A ceiling assembly comprising:

a. A plurality of elongated strip members comprising a first set and a second set, said first set of strip members extending in spaced parallel relation to each other, said second set of strip members extending in spaced parallel relations to each other and extending generally at right angles to said first set of strip members to form a grid;

b. a plurality of generally planer generally rectangular ceilingpancls support by said strip members;

c. a plurality of elongated electrical conductors carried by at least a predetermined plurality of said strip members, and

d. connecting means carried by said predetermined plurality of said strip members for connecting electric lights and other electric power consuming devices to said conductors carried by said predetermined plurality of said strip members.

9. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support surfaces comprise metallic members and said elongated electrical conductors are insulated therefrom. 

1. A ceiling assembly comprising: a. a plurality of coplanar support surfaces arranged in a grid; b. a plurality of generally planar ceiling panels carried by said support surfaces; c. at Least a first integral electrical conductor carried in each of said support surfaces; and d. a plurality of connectors disposed between said coplanar support surfaces and electrically connecting said integral electrical conductors.
 2. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of electrical receptacles positioned along the underside of said support surfaces, said electrical receptacles being connected to said first integral conductor.
 3. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support surfaces have an inverted T-shaped cross section.
 4. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including at least a second integral conductor in said support surfaces.
 5. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including an integral grounding conductor in said support surface.
 6. A ceiling assembly comprising: a. at least two coplanar elongated support surfaces; b. means suspending said coplanar support surfaces; c. at least one generally planar ceiling panel supported by said coplanar support surfaces; d. at least one elongated electrical conductor carries by each of said support surfaces; e. said support surfaces each having an inverted T-shaped cross section.
 7. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inverted T-shaped supported surfaces include a generally horizontal base portion and an intermediate rib portion extending generally at right angles to said base portion and wherein said electrical conductors comprise at least two conductors carries by said base portion and at least one conductor carried by said rib portion.
 8. A ceiling assembly comprising: a. A plurality of elongated strip members comprising a first set and a second set, said first set of strip members extending in spaced parallel relation to each other, said second set of strip members extending in spaced parallel relations to each other and extending generally at right angles to said first set of strip members to form a grid; b. a plurality of generally planer generally rectangular ceiling panels support by said strip members; c. a plurality of elongated electrical conductors carried by at least a predetermined plurality of said strip members, and d. connecting means carried by said predetermined plurality of said strip members for connecting electric lights and other electric power consuming devices to said conductors carried by said predetermined plurality of said strip members.
 9. A ceiling assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support surfaces comprise metallic members and said elongated electrical conductors are insulated therefrom. 